Global Symposium on Leadership and Project Management

by Natalie Bowers

The third annual Global Symposium on Leadership and Project Management was held virtually on August 22 and 23 and hosted approximately 850 people who registered from multiple locations across the country. 

Les Stein, Program Lead for the Organizational Leadership program, and symposium organizing committee member said, “The purpose of the symposium is to bring together, in one location, thought leaders, industry experts, and academics who can share their ideas with students and practitioners about the latest research and innovations relative to leadership and project management.”

The symposium’s theme: “Forging Frontiers: Harmonizing Business Agility, Innovation, and Sustainability in a Transformative Landscape” was chosen to frame the industry’s current trends.  In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting global paradigms, the theme underscored the importance of integrating agility and innovation with a strong commitment to sustainability. The symposium aimed to explore how leaders and project managers can effectively navigate the complex and evolving landscape to achieve long-term success and resilience.

The agenda for the day included 12 presentations delivered by 16 individuals from academia and industry.  Six presenters were full or half-time professors from Northeastern University (three from Boston, one from London, one from Toronto, one from Seattle) and one is a part-time lecturer in the CPS Project Management program. The remaining nine presenters represented various industries to include technology, engineering, among others. (see the full agenda here)

 The symposium included presentations from academics and practitioners.  Keynote Speaker, Adam Sandman, CEO of Inflectra Corporation. Sandman focused on demonstrating how leadership impacts project management in the real world.  

The symposium organizing team includes CPS faculty Jacques Alexis, Adel Zadeh, Ammar Aamer, Sriram Rajagopalan, and Serhiy Kovela.  

Jacques Alexis, a professor in the Project Management program, said, “As the business landscape continues to evolve, the symposium serves as a platform for fostering collaboration and dialogue while empowering leaders and project managers with actionable strategies to navigate change and drive sustained success in a dynamic and competitive environment.”

Les Stein, CPS Assistant Professor, said, “I can say, without any reservations, that our organizing team epitomizes the best qualities of the highest functioning teams. It was a pleasure to work with each of them, and the success of the symposium is a tribute to their loyalty and dedication to CPS.”

Learn more: Global Symposium on Leadership & Project Management

Save the Date: Next year’s symposium will be held on August 21 – 22, 2025.